Well pumping device



Y A ril 13, 1937 A. BULLCSCKI. I 2,

WELL PUMPING DEVICE Original Filed May 31,- 1952 2 Sheets -Sheet Z ALBERT BULLOCK,

Patented Apr. 13, 1937 .UN'ETED STATES WELL PUMPING DEVICE Albert Bullock, El Monte, Calif.

Refiled for abandoned application Serial No. 614,525, May 31, 1932. This application August 24, 1936, Serial No. 97,663

16 Claims.

My invention relates to mechanism for reciprocating sucker rods employed in the operation of well pumps, and relates particularly to a simple and efiicient mechanism especially adapted for use with oil well pumps.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pumping device having a lifting member adapted to be secured to the upper end of a string of sucker rods of a well pump, together with means for exerting a lifting force to raise the sucker rods and the pump piston through a pumping stroke, means for releasing the application of lifting force and means for controlling the downward movement of the sucker rods and piston during the return stroke thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a-mechanism of the above character especially adapted for operation of long stroke pumps with a'minimum expenditure of power and maximum efficiency. In a preferred form of the invention the operation of the pump is accomplished through use of a pinion gear engaging a rack which is vertically guided, and in which the weight of the pump parts is counterbalanced by a a second rack which engages the pinion and has counterweights secured thereto.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a pumping device having means which operates at the end of the return stroke to initiate 30 the succeeding pumping stroke.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only,

Fig. 1 is a partly sectioned elevational view of a preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section on a plane represented by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

'40 'Fig.' 3 is a partly sectioned elevational view of an alternative form of the invention in which a chain and sprocket are employed instead of a rackand gear as illustrated in Fig. 1.

a "Fig. 4 is a plan View corresponding to Fig. 3. In the preferred form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I employ a supporting structure II which may be of tripod type having angleiron legs 12 joined to a top structure it and having an intermediate platform It provided with a leftward extension l5 for supporting a motor I6 which through a belt, chain, or chain-belt Ilia. drives a wheel I! mounted on a shaft !8. On the shaft l8 rearwardly of the wheel ii is a pinion 2i] which drivably engages a relatively large gear 2| mounted on a main shaft 22 which is carried in ball bearings 23, as shownin Fig; 2, carried'in turn in bearing receptacles of a housing 25. The housing 25 is preferably mounted'on the platform [4 and provides vertical guide means 26 for a lifting means or motivating member 21 of bar-form having leftwardly faced rack teeth 28 which engage. a pinion 36 on the main shaft 22 within the housing 25.

The lower end 3! of the member 21 is equipped. with a clevis 32 which connects to the upper end of a sucker rod string 33 extending down to a pump secured in a well, not shown. The upper end 34 of the member 21 is secured to a rod, 35 which extends upwardly through a tube or sleeve 36 whichin turn extends through a packingbox 21a in the lowerend of a cylinder 38 and connects to a piston 40 vertically slidable'in the cylinder 38. The rod 35 has lower stop means 4i thereon in the form of nuts adapted to engage the lower end of the tube 36, and upper stop means 42 in the form of nuts adapted to engage the upper end of the tube 36.

Adjacent the member 21 and on the opposite side of the pinion is a counterbalancemeans 43 having a rack 44 vertically .slidable-in the leftward portion of the housing 25 and having leftwardly extending arms or brackets 45 and 46 at the ends thereof for supporting a vertical bar 47 on which an assembly of counterweights is carried. By means of ball bearings 50 supported in the housing 25 as shown in Fig.2, rollers 51 are held against the outer faces of the members 21 and 44 to hold them in operative engagement with the pinion 30 with a minimum of frictional resistance. A switch lever 53 for operating a switch 54 is connected tothe lower end of a vertical rod 55, the upper end of this'rod 55 being slidable in a bracket 56. Ad-justably secured to the rod 55 are fingers .56 and5l adapted to be engaged by lugs 58 andtflprojectingrightwardly from the respective upperand lower ends of the member 21. From theswitch means 54a conduit (5! is extended to the motor 16 for the electrical-connections to the motor l6, and a conduit 62 is shown for carrying electric lead wires to the switch means 54 from a suitable-source of electric power.

The pumping deviceis shown in Fig. lat the start of a pumping stroke. The dog 58 has engaged the finger 56 and has forced the rod down and thus has actuated the switch, means 54 to on position, causing energization of the motor I6 with the result of drivingthepinion 30 in anti-clockwise direction to lift the motivat-. 55

ing member 27. As the bar moves upwardly the nuts 4| engage the lower end of the sleeve or tube 36, raising the piston within the cylinder 38. The lug 88 then engages the finger 51 and raises the rod 55, moving the lever 53 of the switch means 54 to oif position and stopping the supply of electric energy to the motor I6- As soon as the inertia'in the moving parts, such as ll and 2|, is overcome, the return stroke of the mechanism starts. As the rod 35 is carried downwardly, the stop means 42 thereon engages the upper end of the tube .36, and the pis ton 40 is carried downwardly, compressing air or other fluid in the lower part of the cylinder 38 and bringing the rod 35 and its suspended parts to a cushioned stop after the lug 58 has re-engaged the finger 56 to actuate the switch means and'cause a re-electrification of the motor H5.

The compressed fluid in the cylinder 38 constitutes a resilient 'means exerting an upward force tending to raise the piston 40 and the therefrom. suspended parts, and to initiate or assist in initiating the succeeding pumping stroke of the mechanism as the power of the motor I6 is delivered through the pinion 30 to the member 21. The continued operation of the pumping device is a succession of the individual operations above described, there being no consumption of power during the return strokes. The moving parts, such as 21, 35, and 44,.may be readily proportioned to produce the desiredlength of pumping stroke. 7

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is especially suited for long stroke pumps in deep. settings. In Figs-3 and 4, I show a form of the invention adapted. for pumps of any stroke set in shallow wells. On a suitable base 10 a standard I! rotatably supports a shaft 12 which has a flywheel or pulley 13 at one end thereof adapted to be driven from a suitable power source, such as a gasoline engine, by means of g a belt, not shown. On the forward end of the shaft 12 is a drive member 14, such as-a pulley,

having a clutch mechanism 15 therein for de- 'A driving loop, such as a belt 84, connects the pulley 14 to a pulley mounted on a jack shaft 86 carried at the left side of the base 10 by bearings 87. A pinion 88 keyed to the shaft 85 adjacent to the pulley 85 is adapted to drive a gear 90 mounted on a main shaft 9i carried in bearings 92. Between the bearings 92 a sprocket 93 is keyed on the shaft 9| and carries a sucker rod motivating means in the form of a chain 94 having means 95 at its leftward end for securing 'it to a sucker rod string 96. The rightward portion 91 of the chain 94 is carried over an idler sprocket 98 loosely mounted on the jack shaft 86, and is extended down through an opening I08 in the base 10 to a supporting plate It! adapted to receive counter weights I 62. Asp-ring I04 is employed between the counter weights I02 and the base 10 to bring the mechanismto a cushioned stop at the end of each return stroke,

In Fig. 3 the alternative form of the invention is shown with the motivating means or chain 94 at the end of its return stroke; At this time the spring 184 is compressed and is exerting of the mechanism. 7

' amen a force to initiate or to assist in initiating a power stroke, and a lug I01 on the rear end of the chain 94 has lifted a lever I88 secured to the forward end of the shaft 82, causing a rightward movement of the lever, which movement is transmitted through the link 88 to the lever 13, causing the shifting yoke 18 to: swing rearwardly and carry the engagement parts of the clutch mechanism 15 to engage and thereby transmit power through the belt 84 andthe gears 88 and 9D to the sprocket 93, to produce a-clockwise rotation thereof for lifting the leftward portion of the chain 94. chain 94 is continued mitil a lug I09 on the leftward portion of the chain 94 engages the lever I08 and swings it downwardly so as to produce a disengagement of the clutch mechanism 15, toleave the weight of the pump parts and the sucker rod string 96 to accomplish a return stroke Although I have disclosed practical andoperative forms of my invention, it isrecognized that many of the parts or elements thereof may be readily replaced by other parts of equivalent function; therefore the'invention is in no way This movement of p the I limited to the details disclosed herein, but should.

rocatory movement; means for operatively sup porting said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member through an operating stroke in' a direction to produce a pumping stroke of said operating member; power means adapted to exert force in said mechanism to move said motivating member in said direction; and means controlled automatically in accordance with the positionof said motivating member for discontinuing the transmission of power by said power means to saidmechanism' when said motivating member arrives at a position near the end of its operating stroke and reestablishing transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member is at a position near the start of "its operating stroke, there being means for applying potential forces to move said motivating mem her in direction reverse to said operating stroke when said transmission of. power is discontinued.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, in which said controlled means is adjustable to'vary the positionsof said motivating member at which said discontinued and I transmission of power will be reestablished.

k 3. A pumping device of the character described, for use with a pump having a reciprocable operating member extending upwardly therefrom, including: a motivating member adapted to reciprocatory movement; 'means for operatively supporting said motivatingfmember;

ing member for discontinuing the transmission of,

power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member arrives at a position near the end of its operating stroke and reestablishing transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating'member is at a position near thestart of its operating stroke, there being means for applying potential forces to move said motivating member'in direction reverse to said operating stroke when said transmission of'power is discontinued; and resilient means connected to said motivating member to apply a stopping reaction to the reverse movement of said motivating member.

' 4. A pumping device of the character described, for use with a pump having a reciprocable operating member extending upwardly therefrom, including: amotivating member adapted to reciprocatory movement; means for operatively supporting said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member through an operating stroke in a direction to produce a pumping stroke of said operating member; power means adapted to exert force'in said mechanism to move said motivating member in said direction; means controlled automatically in accordance with the position of said motivating member for discontinuing the transmission of power by saidpower means to saidmechanism when said motivating member arrives at a positionnear the end of its operating stroke and reestablishing transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member is at a position near the start of its operating stroke, there being means for applying potential forces to move said motivating member in direction reverse to said operating stroke when said transmission of power is discontinued; and resilient means connected to said i motivating member toapply a stopping reaction to the reverse movement of said motivating member and'to initiatethe successive operating strokes of said motivating member.

5.- A pumping device of the character described, for use with a pump having a recipro-- cable operating member extending upwardly therefrom; including: a motivating member adapted to reciprocatory movement; means for operatively' supporting said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member through an operating" stroke in a direction to produce a pumping stroke 'of'said operating member; power means adapted to exert force in said. mechanism to move said motivating member in said'direction; means controlled automatically in. accordancewith the position of said'motivating' member for discontinuing" the transmission of power'by'said power means to said'mechanism when said'motivating memberarrives at a posi-- tion near the end of its operating stroke and reestablishing' transmission'of power by said. power-means to-said-mechanism when said motivating member is at a position near the start of its operating stroke, said motivating memberbeingmoved by potential'forces in direction re verse to said operating stroke when said trans-- mission ofpower is discontinued; and dash-potmeans connected to said motivating member tocontrol the reverse movement 'of'saidmotivating member.

6; A' pumping device of thecharacter described; for use with a pump having a reciprocable operating member extending upwardly there from, including: a'motivating-member adapted.

75 to reciprocatory movement; means ion-opera tively supporting said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member through an operating stroke in a direction to produce apumping stroke of said operating member; power means adapted to exert force in said mechanism to move said motivating member in said direction; means controlled automatically in accordance with the position of saidmotivating member for discontinuing the transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member arrives at a position near the end of its operating stroke and reestablishing transmission of'power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member is at a position near the start of its operating stroke, said motivating member being moved by potential forces in direction reverse to said operating stroke when said transmission of power isdiscontinued; and dash-pot means connected to said motivating member to control the reverse movement of said motivating member and to initiate the successive operating strokes of said motivating member.

'7. A pumping device of the character described, for use with a'pump having a reciprocable operating member extending upwardly therefrom,- including: a motivating member adapted to reciprocatory movement; meansfor' operatively supporting said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member through an operating stroke in a direction to produce a pumping stroke of said operating member; an electric motor adapted to exert force in said mechanism to move said motivating member in said direction; and means controlled automaticallyin accordance with the position of said motivating member for shutting down the supply of electric energy to said motor when said motivating'member arrives at a position near the end of its oper ating stroke and reestablishing the supply of electric energy to said motor when said motivating member is at a position near the start of its operating stroke, there being means for applying potential forces to move said motivating member :in direction reverse to said operating stroke when the supply of electric energy to said motor is shut down.

8.. A pumping device of the character described, for use with a pump having a reciprocable operating member extending upwardly there- :from, including: a motivating member adapted to reciprocatory movement; means for operatively supporting said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member "through an operating stroke in a directionto produce a pumping stroke of said operating member; :an electric motor adapted to exert force in said mechanism to move said motivating member in .said direction; means controlled automatically :in accordance with the position of said motivating member for shutting down the supply of electric energy to said motor when said motivating member arrives at a position near the end of its operating stroke and'reestablishing the supply of electric energy to said motor when said motivatfing member is at a position near the start of its operating stroke, there beingm'eans for applying potential forces to move said motivating member in direction reverse to said operating stroke when the supply of electric energy to said motor is shut down; and resilient means connected to said motivating member to apply a stoppingre- :action to the reverse movement of saidmotiva-t- 'ing member.

9. A pumping device of the character described,

for use with a pump having a reciprocable operating member extending upwardly therefrom, including: a toothed rack forming a motivatin member adapted to reciprocatorymovement; means for operatively supporting said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member through an operating stroke in a directionto produce apumping stroke of s aid operating member, said mechanism-including a, driving pinion engaging said rack forming said motivating member; power means adapted to exert force in said mechanism to move said motivating member in said-direction; and means controlled automatically in accordance with the position of said motivating member for discontinuing the transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member arrives at a position-near, the end of its operating, stroke and reestablishing transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member is at a position near the start of its operating stroke, there being means for applying potential forces to said motivating member in direction reverse to said operating stroke whensaid transmission of power is discontinued. V

10. A pumping; device of the character described, for use with a pump having a reciproca ble operating member extending upwardly therefrom, including: a toothed rack forming a motivating member adapted .to reciprocatory movement; means for operatively supporting said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member through an operating stroke in a direction, to produce a pumping stroke of said operating member, said mechanism including a driving pinion engaging said rack forming said motivating member; an electric motor adapted to exert force in saidmechanism tomove said motivating member in said direction; and means Controlled automatically in accordance with the position of said motivating memher 'for shutting down the supply of electric energy to said motor when said motivating member arrives at a position near the end of its operating stroke and reestablishing the supply of electric energy to said motor when said motivatmotivating member through an operatingstroke v inha'direction to produce a pumping stroke of said operating member, said'mechanism includinga driving pinion engaging said rack forming said motivating member; power means adapted to exert force in said mechanism to' move said motivating member in said direction; means controlled automatically in accordance with the position of said motivating member for discontinuing the transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member arrives .at a position near the end of its operating stroke and reestablishing transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member is at a position near the start of its operating stroke, there being means for applying potential forces to move said motivating memberin'direction reverseto r said operatingstroke when said transmission of 1 power is discontinued; and resilient means ,con- 1 nected to said motivating member-to apply a stopping reaction to the reverse movemento of said motivating member and to initiate thesuccessive operating strokes of said motivating member. s

12. 'A; pumping; device of the character aescribed, for use with a pump havingareciprocable operating member extending upwardly therefrom, including: a toothed rack forming-a motivating member] adapted to reciprocatory,

means for operatively supporting a movement; said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member through an operating strokein a direction to'produce a pumping stroke of said operating member, said mechanism including a driving pinion engaging said rack forming said motivating member; power means i adapted to exert forceinsaid mechanism to move said motivating'member in said direction; means controlled automatically in accordance with the a a position of said motivating member for 'discontinuing the transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when saidmotivating member arrives at a position near the end of itsoperating stroke and reestablishing transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member is at a position near the start of its operating stroke, there being means for applying potential forces to i move said motivatin'gmemberin direction reverse to said operating stroke when said transmission of power is discontinued; and resilient means connected to said, motivating member to apply a stopping reaction to the reverse ment of said motivatingrmember. r

13. A pumping device of the character demovescribed for use with a pump lhaving areciprocable operating member extending upwardly therefrom, including: a toothed rack forming a;

motivating member adapted to reciprocatory movement; means for operatively supporting said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member through an operating stroke in a direction toproduce apumping stroke of said operating member, said mechanism includ ing a driving pinion engaging said rack forming said motivating member; power means adapted to exert force in said mechanism to move said motivating memberrin said direction; means controlledautomatically' in accordance with the position of said motivating member for discontinuing the transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member arrives at a position near'the end 'of its operating strokegand reestablishing transmission of power by said powermcansjto said mechanism when saidmotivating member is' at a position near the start of'its operating stroke, therebeing e ns for applying potential forces to move said motivating member in direction reverse to said operating stroke when'said transmission of power is discontinued; a counterbalancehaving teeth engaging said drive pinion; and guide means for said counterbalance. 14. A pumping device of the character described, for use with a pump-having a ream-g:

cable operating member extending upwardly therefrom, including: a toothed rack forming a motivating member adapted to reciprocatory movement; means for ,operatively supporting,v

said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member through an operating stroke in a direction to produce a pumping stroke of said operating member, said mechanism including a driving pinion engaging said rack forming said motivating member; an electric motor adapted to exert force in said mechanism to move said motivating member in said direction; means controlled automatically in accord ance with the position of said motivating member for shutting down the supply of electric energy to' said motor when said motivating member arrives at a position near the end of its operating stroke and reestablishing the supply of electric energy to said motor when said motivating member is at a position near the start of its operating stroke, there being means for applying potential forces to move said motivating member in direction reverse to said operating stroke when the supply of electric energy to said motor is shut down; a counterbalance having teeth engaging said drive pinion; and guide means for said counterbalance.

15. A pumping device of the character described, for use with a pump having a reciprocable operating member extending upwardly therefrom, including: a link chain; a motivating position of said motivating member for discontinuing the transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member arrives at a position near the end of its operating stroke and reestablishing transmission of power by said power means to said mechanism when said motivating member is at a position near the start of its operating stroke, there being means for applying potential forces to move said motivating member in direction reverse to said operating stroke when said transmission of power is discontinued.

16. A pumping device of the character described, for use with a pump having a reciprocable operating member extending upwardly therefrom, including: a motivating member adapted to reciprocatory movement; means for operatively supporting said motivating member; mechanism for moving said motivating member through an operating stroke in a direction to produce a pumping stroke of said operating member; power means adapted to exert force in said mechanism to move said motivating member in said direction; a clutch for transmitting motion from said power means to said mechanism; and means controlled automatically in accordance with the position of said motivating member for releasing said clutch when said motivating member arrives at a position near the end of its operating stroke and reengaging said clutch when said motivating member is at a position near the start of its operating stroke, there being means for applying potential forces to move said motivating member in direction reverse to said operating stroke when said transmission of power is discontinued.

ALBERT BULLOCK. 

